Daley was one for the books

CULTURAL CRITIC

Just when you think you've got the guy's number, he turns around and confounds you, giving all the stereotypes about him a swift kick in the keister.

On Aug. 3, 2001, Mayor Richard Daley — he of the mangled syntax and truncated vocabulary, he of the gruff, blunt delivery and allegedly unromantic perspective — did more for literature than any politician has done since Queen Elizabeth clapped politely for young Will Shakespeare's clever little dramas.

Aug. 3 was the midsummer night's dream of a moment that Daley unveiled the One Book, One Chicago project. It wasn't the first citywide reading program, and the first book chosen — "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Daley's all-time favorite — wasn't exactly an edgy, gasp-worthy pick.

But the moment was pure Daley. It was pure Daley because, first, it had legs — the program is still going strong a decade later — and second, it deliciously scrambled expectations. The hard-nosed dealmaker has a soft spot for books. The man renowned for his iron-fisted rule occasionally opens that fist — if only to turn the pages.